The Carmel Clay School Board is currently in the middle of redistricting. According to president Tricia Hackett, the school board is in Phase 3 of the redistricting plan, during which Superintendent Jeff Swensson reviews the submitted proposal and asks for public input. Hackett said the decision for redistricting came in response to the growth of the west side and decline of enrollment in some of the middle and eastern parts of Carmel.

Junior Kevin Zhang, who lives on the west side of Carmel, said he has noticed the increasing numbers of students, especially in the lower grade levels.

“There are definitely a lot more people in Creekside and the elementary schools than just a few years ago,” Zhang said. “Redistricting should balance out the whole community, and maybe the students will have a better, less crowded learning environment.”

Phases 1 and 2 of redistricting, which consisted of educating citizens of the process and asking advice from the public, have been completed already. Phase 3 will finish when Swensson presents the proposal and the school board accepts a final plan in the upcoming board meetings. Afterwards, Hackett said Phase 4, implementation of the plan, will begin

“Transition orientations, possible grandfathering letters, PTO volunteer organizing, staffing and bus route development are but a few tasks which must be addressed fully and do take a fair amount of time,” Hackett said.

 All redistricting changes will take effect in the 2011-2012 school year. By Rebecca Xu <[email protected]>